Item - 2024.PH15.4

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Endorsed the proposed work plan, as amended by Part 2 below, and directed staff to report back with a detailed proposals report in the first quarter of 2025.

2. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to review the zoning by-law in all zone categories, to identify whether there are zoning barriers, and make appropriate recommendations for zoning by-law amendments, regarding:

a. adding exterior insulation on existing buildings;

b. alternative low-carbon energy systems in and adjacent to parking lots;

c. the reduction of existing parking spaces to accommodate the installation of ancillary charging equipment for electric vehicles; and

d. solar panels, heat pumps, and energy storage devices.

As part of TransformTO, staff were requested by City Council (IE9.7) to explore opportunities to remove zoning barriers to implement solar panels, energy storage devices, and heat pumps (alternative low-carbon energy systems).

This report provides an overview of the current policy and legislative context for alternative low-carbon energy systems; summarizes emerging trends; identifies potential barriers; and sets up a proposed workplan to identify opportunities to remove barriers to implement alternative low-carbon energy systems in low-rise residential zones.

Should Planning and Housing Committee endorse this workplan, staff will undertake further analysis and stakeholder consultations and will report back in the first quarter of 2025 with a proposals report outlining proposed amendments to advance for broader public consultation and implementation.